New York Attorney General Letitia James refused to answer when confronted over explosive allegations that prosecutors were told to downgrade criminal charges against illegal immigrants to shield them from deportation.
James, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez fell silent Thursday when a New York Post reporter pressed them about an incriminating congressional investigation during a gun-safety press conference.
The uncomfortable exchange came days after a Republican-led House Judiciary Committee investigation accused Democratic district attorneys in New York City of directing prosecutors to consider immigration consequences when handling criminal cases.
The report alleged that some prosecutors were instructed to reduce charges, including in serious cases, to help defendants avoid deportation.
'Did any of you order prosecutors to downgrade gun charges to keep illegal immigrants in the US, per the Judiciary Committee report the recent house judiciary report?' the Post reporter asked.
None of the three officials answered.
'This is a gun-safety question,' the reporter pressed. 'Any response from any of you?'
'Our answer couldn't help it,' Katz eventually said before another person called for questions about the event and moved the press conference along.
New York Attorney General Letitia James refused to answer when confronted over explosive allegations that prosecutors were told to downgrade criminal charges against illegal immigrants
The allegations have raised questions about whether defendants accused of serious crimes received more favorable plea deals because of their immigration status
Among the allegations was that Katz instructed prosecutors in Queens to 'exercise extreme caution' when pursuing charges against defendants whose immigration status could expose them to deportation.
The committee cited internal communications in which Katz allegedly advised staff to 'not get caught up in the label of felonies, misdemeanors.'
Meanwhile, the investigation also raised concerns about the handling of child sex crime cases in the Bronx.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark was accused of directing prosecutors to engage in 'immigration-conscious plea bargaining' when negotiating charges.
The committee said the directives showed that prosecutors prioritized immigration issues over the seriousness of criminal charges.
The allegations have raised questions about whether defendants accused of serious crimes received more favorable plea deals because of their immigration status.
